This post first appeared as an article written for a great tutoring organization: mytowntutors.com.
Although it’s only common sense that motivating students is
a complex activity that needs plenty of time, thought, and effort to succeed,
this list can serve as a quick reminder of some of the most important aspects
of motivation. While many of these brief tips may only be common sense, when
used with care and deliberation, they can make it easier for us to encourage
our students to want to work hard and succeed at the tasks we set before them.
1.
All learning must have a purpose. Teachers and
students should work together to establish long-term goals so that the work is
relevant to students’ lives and driven by a purpose.
2.
Students need the skills and knowledge necessary
to complete their work and achieve their goals. Help students achieve
short-term goals to develop the competencies they need to be successful.
3.
Specific directions empower students. When
students know exactly what they must do to complete assignments, they will
approach their work with confidence and interest.
4.
Students want to have fun while they work.
Teachers who offer enjoyable learning activities find that students are less
likely to be off task.
5.
Offer activities that involve higher-order
thinking skills. Students find open-ended questions and critical thinking more
engaging than activities involving just recall of facts.
6.
Curiosity is an important component of
motivation. When students want to learn more about a topic, they will tackle
challenging assignments in order to satisfy their curiosity.
7.
A blend of praise and encouragement is effective
in building self-reliance. Teachers
who offer sincere praise and encouragement establish a positive, nurturing
classroom atmosphere.
8.
A combination of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards
increases student focus and time on task behavior. When used separately, both types of rewards motivate students.
However, when teachers combine them, the effect is much greater.
9.
Involve students in collaborative activities.
When students work together, motivation and achievement both soar.
10.
Start with assignments that your students can
achieve with ease. Success builds upon itself. When students see that they can
accomplish what you ask of them, they will want to continue that success.
11.
Celebrate often with your students. After all,
their successes are your successes. You do not have to dedicate lots of time to
formal celebrations. A simple posting or display of good news, a class signal
that allows classmates to acknowledge each other in positive way, or a quiet
word with individual students will all establish a positive tone.
12.
Be as consistent and as fair as you possibly
can. Students of all ages are quick to react negatively when they detect even a
small hint of suspected unfairness. They will shut down quickly when this
happens.
13.
Post motivational signs, mottoes, and other
messages to encourage students to give their best effort.
14.
Reward effort as well as achievement. It is
important to make sure your students see the link between success and effort.
15.
Create a risk-free environment in which students
can risk trying new things without fear of failure or ridicule.
16.
Tell your
students about your confidence in their ability to succeed. Tell them this over
and over.
17.
Teach your students how to set measurable goals
and how to achieve them. Model this for students. Set goals as a class and have
students set small daily or weekly goals until it is a habit and part of the
culture of your classroom.
18.
At the end of class, ask students to share what
they have learned. Often, they are not aware of how much they have really
actually achieved until they have the opportunity to reflect.
19.
We all know that open-ended questions and
assignments can serve as sparks to deepen critical thinking skills. They can
also serve to motivate students to work hard because of their intrinsic
interest and risk-free nature. Open-ended questions and assignments are a
respectful way to demonstrate your faith in your students’ ability to tackle
tough work.
20.
Teach your students how to handle the failures
that everyone experiences from time to time. Help them understand that they can
learn from their mistakes as well as from their successes.
21.
Formative assessments can be helpful tools for
those teachers who want to empower their students to believe in themselves. Use
a variety of assessments to help students evaluate their progress and determine
what they need to accomplish to finish assignments.
22.
Offer the entire class a reward when they meet
an agreed-on goal.
23.
Use tangible rewards such as stickers or new
pencils.
24.
Write positive comments on papers.
25.
Change an onerous chore into a pleasant one by
allowing them to work on it together.
26.
Hold a weekly contest.
27.
Ask your students their opinions by surveying
them from time to time.
28.
Provide an authentic audience for your students’
work.
29.
Display their work.
30.
Have students work on solving a real-life
problem.
31.
Incorporate their interests as often as
possible.
32.
Chart small successes so that students can see
that small successes create large ones.
33.
Encourage students to compliment their
classmates.
34.
End class with an intriguing riddle, poem, or
question.
35.
Take photos of your students working.
36.
Have students teach the material to each other.
37.
Bring in interesting objects for students to use
as part of a lesson.
38.
Play games.
39.
Arrange for students to mentor younger students
40.
Provide opportunities for peer tutoring.
41.
Teach a different study skill each day so that
students will find it easier to do their work well.
42.
Use visual demonstrations such as graphic
organizers or illustrations to make the work easier to understand.
43.
Time students as they think for thirty seconds
before responding to a question.
44.
Give them puzzles to solve.
45.
Slowly give clues to the answer to a question
one clue at a time.
46.
Have students wear fictional name tags related
to the lesson.
47.
Have students sort items into categories. Take the time to get to know
your students as people.
48.
Use a kind voice when speaking with them.
49.
Set up your classroom where you can walk around
to every desk.
50.
When a student speaks to you, stop what you are
doing and listen.
51.
Be clear about your role as a teacher who will
enable students to achieve their dreams.
52.
Use humor. Laugh when funny things happen in
your class.
53.
Show your appreciation for the good things your
students do.
54.
Stress that you won’t give up on your students.
55.
Allow your students to get to know you. Often
our students are convinced that we sleep in the teachers’ lounge all night and
eat only lunchroom food. They need to see your human side.
56.
Agree with your students as often as you can.
57.
Move your desk to the back of the classroom if
you can. This small action signals a student-centered attitude on your part.
58.
Call parents or guardians when good things
happen.
59.
Share your feelings with your students and allow
them to share theirs.
60.
Use positive language with them. Be careful not
to appear overly negative or critical.
61.
Take notice of the special things that make each
student unique.
62.
Stop and chat with pupils anytime: when you are
monitoring their progress, in the hall or cafeteria, or even when you are away
from school.
63.
Create opportunities for success every day.
64.
Speak to every student each day. Include
everyone in class discussions.
65.
Make pens, paper, and extra books available when
students need a loan.
66.
Set aside an afternoon or morning for “office
hours” when you can provide extra help for those students who need it.
67.
Offer small perks whenever you can.
68.
Be sincere, generous, and tactful in your
praise.
69.
Keep students busily involved in interesting
work.
70.
Talk with students when you notice a change in
their behavior or attitude. If a normally cheerful student, for example, seems
distracted or upset, there’s a good reason for the change.
71.
When students confide in you, follow up on it.
Ask about how they did on the history test that was troubling them or check to
see if their grades have improved in math class.
72.
Be concerned enough for their futures to help
them set long-term goals.
73.
Involve pupils in projects that will improve the
school or community.
74.
Stress that you and they have much in common:
goals, dreams, and beliefs.
75.
Focus on students’ strong points, not on their
weaknesses.
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